China officials hasten to implement Xi’s doctrine on culture and propaganda

Briefings on the Chinese leader’s latest ideology have been organised across the country, with an emphasis on turning words into actions

Cadres have been urged to promote and explain the doctrine so that it becomes ‘deeply rooted in the hearts of the people’

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Since Xi’s thoughts on culture were unveiled last weekend at a top national conference, officials across the country have been briefed on the ideology. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00pm, 15 Oct 2023

Officials around China have pledged to implement President Xi Jinping’s recently released ideology on culture and propaganda, in a fresh push for content control and Beijing’s global soft power.

An institute will be set up for the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and it is likely to be located within the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, according to an observer in Beijing who asked not to be identified.

The new ideology – the latest addition to a growing set of Xi’s political doctrines – was unveiled last weekend at a two-day national conference on propaganda, ideology and culture works.

The twice-a-decade, top-level meeting in Beijing was attended by senior officials from key party and state agencies, regional administrations, and the country’s military and security apparatus.

Meetings were swiftly organised after the conference across these bodies – especially those in charge of propaganda and cultural works – in which the chiefs lavishly praised the new doctrine and ordered that future work plans be drawn up in accordance with it.

One of the first internal briefings was held last Sunday – the last day of the national conference – by China Media Group (CMG), whose mega state-owned enterprises include China Central Television, China National Radio, and China Radio International.